Moon Ballad blew away several tall reputations with an easy victory in the Convergent Dante Stakes at York today. The colt, who holds an entry in the Vodafone Derby, was giving Godolphin another big-race triumph following Kazzia in the Sagitta 1000 Guineas, and Grandera in the Singapore Airlines International Cup.
Making most of the running under Jamie Spencer, Moon Ballad had a healthy lead early in the straight and the 13-2 chance held off all challenges to come home a length and a quarter ahead of Bollin Eric with Balakheri three-quarters of a length further away in third. Sir George Turner, the 15-8 favourite, was a big disappointment for trainer Mark Johnston who had already captured three Derby trials this spring.
Moon Ballad earned a 33-1 quote for Epsom but Godolphin's Simon Crisford warned that the colt may have difficulty with the mile and a half distance of the Derby. Godolphin's main Derby hope is Naheef and he is 20-1.
Filed by Laura Reynolds
